Vitamin B1
DEFINITION
Vitamin B1 or Thiamine is a water soluble vitamin belonging to
the B group vitamins.
the B group vitamins.
DESCRIPTION
Vitamin B1 is essential for the body to be able to use
carbohydrate as an energy source as well as for metabolising amino
acids. A person’s requirements for Vitamin B1 are increased when
they are relying heavily on carbohydrates for their main source of
energy. Vitamin B1 is also involved in the production of chemicals
that allow nerves in the body to communicate with one another and
pass nerve impulses, as well as for making genetic material such as
DNA and RNA. Vitamin B1 is essential for the health of the brain,
nerves and cardiovascular system. Large amounts of Vitamin B1 are
found in skeletal muscles, the heart, the brain, the kidneys and
the liver. Very little of this vitamin is stored by the body and it
needs to be replenished in the diet regularly. There are no known
cases of Vitamin B1 toxicity (overdose), although in some, rare
cases people have had an allergic reaction to the vitamin.
carbohydrate as an energy source as well as for metabolising amino
acids. A person’s requirements for Vitamin B1 are increased when
they are relying heavily on carbohydrates for their main source of
energy. Vitamin B1 is also involved in the production of chemicals
that allow nerves in the body to communicate with one another and
pass nerve impulses, as well as for making genetic material such as
DNA and RNA. Vitamin B1 is essential for the health of the brain,
nerves and cardiovascular system. Large amounts of Vitamin B1 are
found in skeletal muscles, the heart, the brain, the kidneys and
the liver. Very little of this vitamin is stored by the body and it
needs to be replenished in the diet regularly. There are no known
cases of Vitamin B1 toxicity (overdose), although in some, rare
cases people have had an allergic reaction to the vitamin.
MEDICAL USE
Always consult your Health Professional to advise you on
dosages and any possible medical interactions.
dosages and any possible medical interactions.
Vitamin B1 is used medically to prevent or correct Thiamine
deficiencies.
deficiencies.
DEFICIENCY
Vitamin B1 deficiency is common among alcoholics, as chronic
alcohol consumption decreases the amount of Vitamin B1 absorbed by
the body. Vitamin B1 deficiency also occurs quite commonly in parts
of Asia where the main food source is polished rice, as removal of
the rice husk greatly reduces the Vitamin B1 content of this grain.
Vitamin B1 deficiency causes a disease called beriberi. There are
two forms of beriberi: wet beriberi, which affects the heart and
blood vessels, and dry beriberi, which affects the nervous system.
Wet beriberi causes shortness of breath, heart palpitations, oedema
(fluid build up in the tissues), changes in the electrical activity
of the heart and heart failure. Dry beriberi causes confusion,
unsteadiness and poor motor coordination, lack of coordination of
the eye muscles, weakness, sleep problems, memory problems,
personality disturbances, depression and changes in the sensitivity
of the nerves in the arms and legs.
alcohol consumption decreases the amount of Vitamin B1 absorbed by
the body. Vitamin B1 deficiency also occurs quite commonly in parts
of Asia where the main food source is polished rice, as removal of
the rice husk greatly reduces the Vitamin B1 content of this grain.
Vitamin B1 deficiency causes a disease called beriberi. There are
two forms of beriberi: wet beriberi, which affects the heart and
blood vessels, and dry beriberi, which affects the nervous system.
Wet beriberi causes shortness of breath, heart palpitations, oedema
(fluid build up in the tissues), changes in the electrical activity
of the heart and heart failure. Dry beriberi causes confusion,
unsteadiness and poor motor coordination, lack of coordination of
the eye muscles, weakness, sleep problems, memory problems,
personality disturbances, depression and changes in the sensitivity
of the nerves in the arms and legs.
SOURCES
Vitamin B1 is most concentrated in the germ of cereals and is
easily included in the daily diet by eating unrefined and
unprocessed cereal products, such as brown and wholegrain breads,
brown rice, wheatgerm (which contains 13 times the amount of
Vitamin B1 found in white flour) and rice bran. Other sources
include brewer’s yeast, soybeans, millet, whole grains (especially
unprocessed oats), sunflower seeds, meat, fish, molasses, dairy
foods (not cheese) and poultry. Heavy alcohol or caffeine
consumption may decrease Thiamine levels in the body. Foods low in
Thiamine and likely to increase the body’s demand for it are high
carbohydrate diets and excessive consumption of white rice
easily included in the daily diet by eating unrefined and
unprocessed cereal products, such as brown and wholegrain breads,
brown rice, wheatgerm (which contains 13 times the amount of
Vitamin B1 found in white flour) and rice bran. Other sources
include brewer’s yeast, soybeans, millet, whole grains (especially
unprocessed oats), sunflower seeds, meat, fish, molasses, dairy
foods (not cheese) and poultry. Heavy alcohol or caffeine
consumption may decrease Thiamine levels in the body. Foods low in
Thiamine and likely to increase the body’s demand for it are high
carbohydrate diets and excessive consumption of white rice
DOSAGE
The recommended dietary intake (RDI) for Vitamin B1 is 1.1 mg
per day for adult males and 0.8 mg per day for adult females,
although women that are pregnant require an additional 0.2 mg per
day and those that are lactating require and additional 0.4 mg. To
correct deficiency, larger daily doses are given, sometimes using
intramuscular injections. Like all B Vitamins, it is recommended
that Vitamin B1 be taken as part of a complete B Complex supplement
to ensure the correct balance of B Vitamins is maintained in the
body.
per day for adult males and 0.8 mg per day for adult females,
although women that are pregnant require an additional 0.2 mg per
day and those that are lactating require and additional 0.4 mg. To
correct deficiency, larger daily doses are given, sometimes using
intramuscular injections. Like all B Vitamins, it is recommended
that Vitamin B1 be taken as part of a complete B Complex supplement
to ensure the correct balance of B Vitamins is maintained in the
body.